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CALGARY, ALTA. — Kinder Morgan has announced six contractors it intends to work with on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project in B.C. and Alberta.

According to the company, the pipeline construction and associated terminal expansions are expected to take approximately 28 months to complete, with the work distributed among several sections along the route between Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C.

In a press release the project team explained the contractors will directly hire the individuals — union, non-union and aboriginal workers — and subcontractors needed for each contract and scope of work.

In addition to paying special attention to including the aboriginal community in the work, special focus will also be paid to B.C. workers, said the statement.

As part of its negotiated commitment with the B.C. government, Trans Mountain has committed to a "British Columbians first" policy for hiring and contracting work within B.C.

"Getting the construction contractors on board represents a significant milestone for Trans Mountain and demonstrates our commitment to delivering the project in a timely, cost-effective manner," said Ian Anderson, president of Kinder Morgan Canada Limited, in the release.

"We're pleased with the calibre and experience of the contractors. Each contractor was chosen for its expertise in delivering quality work and the individual needs and complexities of each portion of the project."

Kinder Morgan anticipates that the $7.4 billion expansion project will generate $46.7 billion in government revenues and 802,000 person years of employment, the equivalent of 37,000 jobs each year, over more than 20 years.

The expansion project would parallel the 1,150-kilometre route of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, which was built in 1953 and is the only West Coast link for Western Canadian oil. Pipeline capacity will increase from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels of oil per day.

The project will also add approximately 980 kilometres of new pipeline and reactivate 193 kilometres of existing pipeline.

But while the project seems to be moving forward, it isn't without its critics. In August, the Province of British Columbia hired legal counsel to begin challenging the project and the Federal Court of Appeal is allowing British Columbia to be an intervener in a legal fight against the expansion.

According to Kinder Morgan, Trans Mountain continues to proceed with the project planning, permitting, engagement and design required to meet National Energy Board and B.C. government conditions as well as necessary local permitting. Construction activity is expected to begin in September, with the pipeline expected to be in operation at the end of 2019.